10 Tips to help you plan your next Australian getaway

Planning a holiday is sometimes half the fun of it and it’s always good to be prepared.

Here are 10 things that will help you plan your perfect holiday in Australia.

Visa

Australia has strict border controls in place so the first thing you need to do is check what visa you require and apply for it well before you plan to travel. Visitor visas can take several weeks to process so don’t leave it until the last minute. You can apply online or ask your travel agent to help you.

Travel Card/Money

Most major credit and debit cards are accepted Australia wide, so having a pre-loaded travel money card is a great idea if you want to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget to get adequate travel insurance before you set off. No-one wants to think about things going wrong but it’s always good to be prepared.

Customs

When arriving in Australia, you’ll need to declare if you have any food or medication. If you’re carrying personal medication, make sure you have a script/doctor’s letter for it and you’ll have no problems. Avoid bringing in food if at all possible –fresh food, dairy and meat products are a complete no-no but sweets and chocolates are normally OK as long as they are commercially packaged.

No Tips

It is not standard to tip in hotels or restaurants in Australia so don’t waste your hard earned holiday money as it won’t be expected at all.

Dress For The Weather

Depending on what time of year you’re visiting and where you’re going in Australia, the weather can vary wildly. Make sure you bring appropriate clothing, whether it’s for a 40 degree summer holiday or a wintery stay in the Outback.

Public Holidays

Be aware that if you eat out on a public holiday, many restaurants add a surcharge of around 15% to your bill to cover increased staff costs. If you aren’t expecting it, it can be a shock! If you want to avoid this, take a picnic to a park or the beach instead and enjoy the outdoors for free on public holidays (which also vary from state to state!).

Road Rules

Always stick to the speed limits when driving in Australia as they are strictly enforced. The limits are also lower than in South Africa, so it might feel like you’re going slower than you’re used to, but it’s better than getting a nasty fine.

Sunshine

You might be used to the hot African sun, but still be prepared for it if you’re visiting Australia during the summer months. Stock up on your factor 50 sunscreen (yes, you’ll need factor 50!) and follow the Aussie rules of slip, slop, slap – slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat! Sunburn is the last thing you want on your holiday!

Tax Refund

When heading back home, if you’ve purchased items from a store and spent over $300 in a single transaction, keep these items in your hand luggage. You can claim your GST (that’s the Australian version of VAT) back on these purchases.

Planning holidays can be stressful, and there are always uncertainties. Your flights should not be one of them. At Qantas we make sure things are done, come rain or shine. Make booking your flights a breeze.